We're Loving YourSphere!

The kids are really enjoying Yoursphere. I was afraid the "new" would wear off, but that hasn't been the case at all. The past few days they've been checking out OurWorld, the virtual world on Yoursphere. It has an arcade that the kids love to mess around in playing games. Playing games earns you "flow" and helps you level up in game. Both my kids love gaming so this part of your sphere has been a big hit. Not only can they make new friends, but they've been having a lot of fun doing it! I must say, I haven't heard "I'm bored!" even once since they got out of school for summer break.

Just a reminder, Yoursphere is completely free to use. If you and your kiddos would like to check it out for yourselves, please sign up with code: YSMC-0049 and let them know Ramblings of a Texas Housewife sent you.
I wrote this review while participating in the Yoursphere Test Drive program by Mom Central on behalf of Yoursphere. I received a free lifetime Gold membership on Yoursphere.com, Yoursphere t-shirts, and a $50 American Express gift card to facilitate my review.

Zibits Review

I was recently sent a Zibits mini r/c robot to review. These little guys are reasonably priced and my kids really enjoyed trying ours out. Tristen, 13, spent over an hour playing with it. His only complaint was they are pretty limited motion wise. But, it was still enough to keep him amused for awhile. I've caught him playing with it several times when he was bored. This pint sized robot was a hit with the whole family! They would make an excellent gift!

"Every Zibits comes with a name & back story on the package, giving each robot his own personality! Late summer/early fall 2010, Senario will release groundbreaking play sets – including a lab, mine shaft and race track – so kids can form their own Zibits buildable and expandable communities. Finally, kids an active way to play – through a remote control that they operate – unlike other toys where they just push a button and watch ‘em go."

Check these little guys out!




Ramblings of a Texas Housewife Product Review and/or Giveaway Disclosure- I have received no compensation other than the offer of free product to review and/or giveaway. Any opinions expressed on Ramblings of a Texas Housewife are my own. My reviews are never reviewed or edited in any way by sponsors.

A Matter of Character by Robin Lee Hatcher

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
A Matter Of Character
Zondervan (May 25, 2010)
by
Robin Lee Hatcher


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Robin Lee Hatcher discovered her vocation as a novelist after many years of reading everything she could put her hands on, including the backs of cereal boxes and ketchup bottles. The winner of the Christy Award for Excellence in Christian Fiction (Whispers from Yesterday), the RITA Award for Best Inspirational Romance (Patterns of Love and The Shepherd's Voice), two RT Career Achievement Awards (Americana Romance and Inspirational Fiction), and the RWA Lifetime Achievement Award, Robin is the author of over 50 novels, including Catching Katie, named one of the Best Books of 2004 by the Library Journal.

Robin enjoys being with her family, spending time in the beautiful Idaho outdoors, reading books that make her cry, and watching romantic movies. She is passionate about the theater, and several nights every summer, she can be found at the outdoor amphitheater of the Idaho Shakespeare Festival, enjoying Shakespeare under the stars. She makes her home outside of Boise, sharing it with Poppet the high-maintenance Papillon


ABOUT THE BOOK

It's 1918, and Daphne McKinley, heiress to a small fortune, has found contentment in the town of Bethlehem Springs, Idaho. But Daphne has a secret.

A series of dime novels loosely based on local lore and featuring a nefarious villain known as Rawhide Rick has enjoyed modest popularity among readers. Nobody in Bethlehem Springs knows the man behind the stories ... except Daphne.

When newspaperman Joshua Crawford comes to town searching for the man who sullied the good name of his grandfather, Daphne finds herself at a crossroads, reassessing the power of her words, re-thinking how best to honor her gifts, and reconsidering what she wants out of life.

Robin is conducting a contest for the new book. Join in the fun HERE.

If you would like to read the Prologue and first Chapter of A Matter Of Character, go HERE.

Zac Brown Band Want Fans to Send More Letters to Troops

I just wanted to share this. I adore the Zac Brown Band and think it's awesome that they are urging their fans to support the troops! I've written letters to the troops for years and it has truly touched my life. Let's all remember our fallen heroes during this holiday weekend.

Zac Brown Band Want Fans to Send More Letters to Troops

School's Out for Summer...Maybe

Image by Mr Tickle - Wachoo Wachoo Tribe Congressman via Flickr

I wrote last year about the early release program offered by the local school district. If the kids pass the state mandated TAKS test, they are released about two weeks earlier than everyone else. This year, the test scores were delayed, so I figured the kids would be in school until they arrived. Wrong! A week ago, the school released all the students and sent them home with a letter explaining that if the results came back and your children had failed, you would have to bring them back immediately. It caused major problems for a lot of families, as they scrambled to find childcare. I was just not prepared to have the kids home yet, didn't have food ready, things like that. Here we are a week later and still no TAKS scores. So, the kids have started their summer filled with dread that they might have to go back to school for another week and Mom started summer vacation completely unprepared. Oh well! Let the choruses of "I'm bored!" begin!

Are your kids out for summer break yet?

BOGO Shakes At Sonic

Sonic is celebrating it's new "Real Ice Cream" launch with a buy one, get one free shake promo. When you buy a shake you get a coupon for a free one to be redeemed later. This offer is good through June 27th. Who doesn't love a yummy shake? Get all the details here.

Wordless Wednesday - Cowgirls Nap With Their Boots On

Broken by Travis Thrasher

This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

Broken

FaithWords (May 25, 2010)

by

Travis Thrasher





ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

It was during third grade after a teacher encouraged him in his writing and as he read through The Narnia Chronicles by C.S. Lewis that Travis decided he wanted to be a writer. The dream never left him, and allowed him to fulfill that dream of writing fulltime in 2007.



Travis Thrasher is the author of numerous works of fiction, including his most personal and perhaps his deepest work, Sky Blue, that was published in summer of 2007. This year he has to novels published, Out of the Devil’s Mouth, and a supernatural thriller, Isolation.



Travis is married to Sharon and they are the proud parents of Kylie, born in November, 2006, and Hailey, a Shih-Tzu that looks like an Ewok. They live in suburban Chicago.



Stop by and visit Travis at his Blog where you can sign up to follow him on Facebook and Twitter!



ABOUT THE BOOK

Laila had it all--love, family, wealth, and faith. But when her faith crumbles, her world falls apart and Laila finds herself living an empty, dangerous life as a call girl in Chicago.



When she is threatened, Laila shoots and kills a client in self-defense, sending herself into a spiral of guilt and emptiness. Six months later, she is trying to move on, but she's haunted by the past. She hasn't told anyone about the man she killed, and she's still estranged from her family.



When she is approached by a stranger who says he knows what she did, Laila has no choice but to run. But the stranger stays close behind, and Laila begins having visions of the man she killed. Little does she know she's being hounded by something not of this world, something that knows her deepest, darkest secret.

Scared and wandering, will Laila regain her trust in God to protect her from these demons? Or will her plea for salvation come too late?





If you would like to read the first chapter of Broken, go HERE.

Texas Skies

Last night I looked out the door and saw that the sky was a beautiful shade of pink. Although I didn't boogie outside fast enough to catch it, I did get some video of a truly gorgeous sky. I hate how I sound on video, but I wanted to share with y'all, so ignore my voice and enjoy!

Project of the Week: DIY Spice Rack

We are still working on redoing our house. I sometimes think it's a project that will never be completed. The project for the past few weeks has been the kitchen. Hubby is at trying to at least get it painted since we can't afford a complete remodel anytime soon. He has gotten quite a bit of the painting done so far. He also built me a bar in the space our old fridge once was. My wonderful in-laws blessed us with a new refrigerator, that was much larger than the apartment sized one we had. So, it's now somewhat in the middle of the kitchen until we can figure out where to put it. This room is a work in progress. I'll share pics soon.

Anyway, since we are all about the kitchen these days, I've been pulling out my notebook of kitchen ideas. Yes, I have a three ring binder divided by rooms where I keep pictures, articles, notes on websites, and the like. This notebook helps me keep track of all the ideas I come across that I'd love to use someday. My project this week is this awesome spice rack I first saw on The Kitchn. I love how simple and streamlined it looks. It provides easy access to your spices, looks fantastic, and can be made quite inexpensively. Assuming I am able to locate the jars I need, this will be my project for the week. Click on over and check out how simple it is to put together and how great it looks! I can't wait to replace my current disaster of a spice rack.



What are you working on this week?

Frenzy by Robert Liparulo

This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

Frenzy

Thomas Nelson (May 18, 2010)

by

Robert Liparulo





ABOUT THE AUTHOR:



Robert Liparulo is a former journalist, with over a thousand articles and multiple writing awards to his name. His first novel, Comes a Horseman, released to critical acclaim. Each of his subsequent thrillers—Germ, Deadfall, and Deadlock—secured his place as one of today’s most popular and daring thriller writers.



He is known for investing deep research and chillingly accurate predictions of near-future scenarios into his stories. In fact, his thorough, journalistic approach to research has resulted in his becoming an expert on the various topics he explores in his fiction, and he has appeared on such media outlets as CNN and ABC Radio.



Liparulo’s visual style of writing has caught the eye of Hollywood producers. Currently, three of his novels for adults are in various stages of development for the big screen: the film rights to Comes A Horseman. were purchased by the producer of Tom Clancy’s movies; and Liparulo is penning the screenplays for GERM and Deadfall for two top producers. He is also working with the director Andrew Davis (The Fugitive, Holes) on a political thriller. Novelist Michael Palmer calls Deadfall “a brilliantly crafted thriller.” March 31st marked the publication of Deadfall’s follow-up, Deadlock, which novelist Gayle Lynds calls, “best of high-octane suspense.”



Liparulo’s bestselling young adult series, Dreamhouse Kings, debuted in 2008 with House of Dark Shadows and Watcher in the Woods. Book three, Gatekeepers, released in January 2009, and number four, Timescape, in July 2009, and number five, Whirlwind in December 2009. The series has garnered praise from readers, both young and old, as well as attracting famous fans who themselves know the genre inside and out. Of the series, Goosebumps creator R.L. Stine says, “I loved wandering around in these books. With a house of so many great, haunting stories, why would you ever want to go outside?”



With the next two Dreamhouse books “in the can,” he is currently working on his next thriller, which for the first time injects supernatural elements into his brand of gun-blazing storytelling. The story is so compelling, two Hollywood studios are already in talks to acquire it—despite its publication date being more than a year away. After that comes a trilogy of novels, based on his acclaimed short story, which appeared in James Patterson’s Thriller anthology. New York Times bestselling author Steve Berry calls Liparulo’s writing “Inventive, suspenseful, and highly entertaining . . . Robert Liparulo is a storyteller, pure and simple.” He lives with his family in Colorado.



Visit Robert Liparulo's Facebook Fan page: http://www.facebook.com/LiparuloFans







ABOUT THE BOOK

Their destiny is to fix history. Their dream is to get home.



When you live in a house that's really a gateway between past and present, you have to be ready for anything. It's a painful fact the Kings have faced since moving to Pinedale eight days ago. Desperately trying to rescue their mother from an unknown time and place, brothers Xander and David have lunged headlong into the chaos of history's greatest--and most volatile--events. But their goal has continually escaped their grasp.



And worse: Finding Mom is only a small part of what they must do, thanks to the barbaric Taksidian. His ruthless quest to sieze their house and its power from them has put not only the family, but all of mankind, in grave danger.



Somehow, the key to it all hinges on Uncle Jesse's words to the boys: "Fixing time is what our family was made to do." But how can they fix a world that has been turned updisde down--much less ever find their way home?



At long last, the secrets of the house and the King family are revealed in the stunning conclusion to this epic series.



If you would like to read the Prologue and first Chapter of Frenzy, go HERE.



Sign up for the Frenzy Newsletter HERE.

Predator by Terri Blackstock

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

PredatorZondervan (May 25, 2010)

by

Terri Blackstock





ABOUT THE AUTHOR:



Terri Blackstock’s books have sold six million copies worldwide. Her suspense novels often debut at number one on the Christian fiction best-seller lists, and True Light, published last year, was number one of all Christian books—fiction and non-fiction. Blackstock has had twenty-five years of success as a novelist.



In 1994 Blackstock was writing for publishers such as HarperCollins, Harlequin and Silhouette, when a spiritual awakening drew her into the Christian market. Since that time, she’s written over thirty Christian titles, in addition to the thirty-two she had in the secular market. Her most recent books are the four in her acclaimed Restoration Series, which includes Last Light, Night Light, True Light and Dawn’s Light. She is also known for her popular Newpointe 911 and Cape Refuge Series.



In addition to her suspense novels, she has written a number of novels in the women’s fiction genre, including Covenant Child, which was chosen as one of the first Women of Faith novels, and her Seasons Series written with Beverly LaHaye, wife of Tim LaHaye.



Blackstock has won the Retailer’s Choice Award and has appeared on national television programs such as The 700 Club, Home Life, and At Home Live with Chuck and Jenny. She has been a guest on numerous radio programs across the country and the subject of countless articles. The story of her personal journey appears in books such as Touched By the Savior by Mike Yorkey, True Stories of Answered Prayer by Mike Nappa, Faces of Faith by John Hanna, and I Saw Him In Your Eyes by Ace Collins.







ABOUT THE BOOK

The murder of Krista Carmichael's fourteen-year-old sister by an online predator has shaken her faith and made her question God's justice and protection. Desperate to find the killer, she creates an online persona to bait the predator. But when the stalker turns his sights on her, will Krista be able to control the outcome?



Ryan Adkins started the social network GrapeVyne in his college dorm and has grown it into a billion-dollar corporation. But he never expected it to become a stalking ground for online Predators. One of them lives in his town and has killed two girls and attacked a third. When Ryan meets Krista, the murders become more than a news story to him, and everything is on the line.



Joining forces, he and Krista set out to stop the killer. But when hunters pursue a hunter, the tables can easily turn. Only God can protect them now.



Enter the Terri Blackstock iPad CONTEST: http://www.terriblackstock.com/contests/.



If you would like to read the first chapter of Predator, go HERE.



Watch the book trailer video!

Perfection and Isolation

Image by ashley rose, via Flickr

I have several close friends, but most of them live far away. We talk, text, or email every day, managing to keep in touch despite the distance. I love these ladies and my life would not be complete without them. Especially Melly, my oldest and dearest friend. Lately, I've been missing her very badly. It's hard to go years without seeing your best friend and know it will be years until you feasibly see them again. Kids, jobs, money, and being half way across the country are pretty big obstacles.

I have friends locally, but lately I find myself not wanting to socialize much at all. As my long time readers know, I struggle with depression, so maybe this is part of it. I just know that being alone is rather appealing these days. When I am craving conversation and someone to hang and have fun with, things generally don't work out. Everyone in my life is so busy, I guess everyone has more of a life than me. Maybe I'm just giving up and saying alone is better than begging for companionship and being rejected. I don't know.

I realize this is turning into a ramble post, but as they name of the site indicates, I'm pretty prone to rambling. It just seems that lately I need a friend more and more and they are hard to tie down. I'm feeling overwhelmed, because I'm failing miserably at being all the things I need to be to everyone. And for the last hour I've been treated to text message after text message from my husband literally cussing me because he left his can of snuff at home. This is exactly what I mean, I am expected to be perfect and I can't be.

So, I do the things I'm supposed to do. And yes, I fail. I'm beginning to realize my family wants a Stepford wife rather than me. But, I keep trying. I am trying, and trying to smile and pretend everything is just fine. But, it's not. And it hurts.

Sorry for this post being so personal and disjointed, but sometimes you just need to vent. Thanks to my readers for understanding.

Deadly Disclosure by Julie Cave

This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

Deadly Disclosure New Leaf Publishing Group/Master Books (February 15, 2010) by

Julie Cave





ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Julie first heard a creation science speaker at her church when she was just 15, igniting her interest in creation science and sparking an enthusiasm for defending the Bible’s account of creation. She has obtained a degree in health science, and is currently completing a degree in law. Julie is married with one daughter and lives on the east coast of Australia.



ABOUT THE BOOK

A Suspense-filled mystery which answers an ominous question: How far will some go to silence an influential Christian voice?



Thomas Whitfield, proud Secretary of the Smithsonian and its extensive scientific influence, has disappeared from his office with foul play suspected. Dinah Harris, an FBI agent struggling with alcohol and depression, is seeking answers amidst the fallout of her own personal issues.



Whitfield's body is eventually found, and other people connected to him begin dying as well, ultimately exposing a broader conspiracy connected to Whitfield's recent conversion to Christ and promotion of a biblical worldview in an academic world of financial gain hostile to this concept.



Will Dinah be able to experience the redemptive power of Christ before it's too late? Or will the ominous danger stalking her investigation claim another victim?



If you would like to read the first chapter of Deadly Disclosure, go HERE.



Watch the Video Book Trailer:

YourSphere.com Safe Social Networking for Kids

Both my kids have been begging me for months to be allowed to get on Facebook. Hubby and I both were not huge on this idea, feeling it is just not safe. I trust my kiddos, but I just don't think either one of them is mature enough to handle that yet. They are children after all and kids aren't exactly known for having the best judgment.

I was recently selected by Mom Central as a YourSphere Test Drive Mom. Myself, along with 50+ other wonderful moms get to test drive Yoursphere.com, a safe place for kids to test their social networking wings. Yoursphere is a mom created site that verifies the identities of all those on the site. Check out this video to learn more about why Yoursphere was created and how it works.



Tristen and Ashley are both all set up on Yoursphere and having a blast! It was fast and easy to get verified and all our accounts set up. The Parent Dashboard is a great feature that allows you to see what your kids are doing on Yoursphere. I love that I know everyone on the site is who they say they are; there is no worrying about impostors getting through on the site. I finally feel that my kids are safe on a social networking site.

The kids love all the different Spheres they can join, on topics from books to sports. There is lots to do on Yoursphere and they can even create their own Spheres for what interest them. I can safely say my kids aare really enjoying check the site out!

If your kids are interested in social networking sites, but you aren't comfortable with the idea, you might want to give the site a try. Yoursphere is completely free to use. If you and your kiddos would like to check it out for yourselves, please sign up with code: YSMC-0049 and let them know Ramblings of a Texas Housewife sent you.

"I wrote this review while participating in the Yoursphere Test Drive program by Mom Central on behalf of Yoursphere. I received a free lifetime Gold membership on Yoursphere.com, Yoursphere t-shirts, and a $50 American Express gift card to facilitate my review."

Review - Gigi's Big Break

I have a 10 year old little girl and provide childcare for little girls ages 2 to 4. All of them enjoy any movies that involve princesses and Gigi God's Little Princess is no exception. I was familiar with Shelia Walsh's books, but did not know their was an animated series. I recently received Gig's Big Break dvd and was quite pleased. Not only are their great stories kids can learn from, but there are fun songs as well. This series presents valuable life lessons and Christian values in a fun way.

The first episode on the disc is The White Lie. Here Gigi learns the consequences of lying and how important it is to be honest. Gigi breaks a vase, then lies to cover it up. As lies often do, it goes from a small lie to a completely out of control situation. It is a good episode that teaches the importance of honesty. I very much enjoyed the fact that the lessons taught are backed up by scripture.

The second episodes deals with Gigi, an only child, becoming a big sister. It explores all the fears that go along with a new baby as well as all the good things. This would be great for kiddos who are expecting siblings sometime soon. It talks about loving our siblings, as well as how parents love all their children.

I recommend this video for little girls ages 3 to 8 or so. My daughter enjoyed them too, but not as much as the little girls did. I really like having a Christian alternative to mainstream cartoons. There are not enough shows that depict Christian families and values. This was a refreshing change from what the little girls normally want to watch.
Ramblings of a Texas Housewife Product Review and/or Giveaway Disclosure- I received this DVD free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I have received no compensation other than the offer of free product to review and/or giveaway. Any opinions expressed on Ramblings of a Texas Housewife are my own. My reviews are never reviewed or edited in any way by sponsors.

Crossing Oceans by Gina Holmes

This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

Crossing Oceans Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. (May 1, 2010)

by Gina Holmes



ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Gina Holmes began her career in 1998, penning articles and short stories. In 2005 she founded the influential literary blog, Novel Journey. She holds degrees in science and nursing and currently resides with her husband and children in southern Virginia. To learn more about her, visit May 2010's issue of CFOM at Interview with Gina Holmes or Novel Journey.



ABOUT THE BOOK

Jenny Lucas swore she’d never go home again. But being told you’re dying has a way of changing things. Years after she left, she and her five-year-old daughter, Isabella, must return to her sleepy North Carolina town to face the ghosts she left behind. They welcome her in the form of her oxygen tank–toting grandmother, her stoic and distant father, and David, Isabella’s dad . . . who doesn’t yet know he has a daughter. As Jenny navigates the rough and unknown waters of her new reality, the unforgettable story that unfolds is a testament to the power of love and its ability to change everything—to heal old hurts, bring new beginnings . . . even overcome the impossible. A stunning debut about love and loss from a talented new voice.



If you would like to read the first chapter of Crossing Oceans, go HERE.



Watch the Video Book Trailer:

A Woman Called Sage by DiAnn Mills

This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

A Woman Called SageZondervan (April 1, 2010)by

DiAnn Mills





ABOUT THE AUTHOR:



Award-winning author, DiAnn Mills, launched her career in 1998 with the publication of her first book. Currently she has over forty books in print and has sold more than a million copies.



DiAnn believes her readers should “Expect an Adventure.” DiAnn Mills is a fiction writer who combines an adventuresome spirit with unforgettable characters to create action-packed novels.



Six of her anthologies have appeared on the CBA Best Seller List. Three of her books have won the distinction of Best Historical of the Year by Heartsong Presents. Five of her books have won placements through American Christian Fiction Writer’s Book of the Year Awards 2003 – 2007, and she is the recipient of the Inspirational Reader’s Choice award for 2005 and 2007. She was a Christy Awards finalist in 2008.



DiAnn is a founding board member for American Christian Fiction Writers, a member of Inspirational Writers Alive, Romance Writers of America’s Faith, Hope and Love, and Advanced Writers and Speakers Association. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country. DiAnn is also a mentor for Jerry B. Jenkins Christian Writer’s Guild.



She lives in sunny Houston, Texas. DiAnn and her husband have four adult sons and are active members of Metropolitan Baptist Church.





ABOUT THE BOOK

They took away everything she loved...now, she’s out for revenge.



Sage Morrow had it all: life on a beautiful Colorado ranch, a husband who adored her, and a baby on the way. Until five ruthless gunmen rode up to their ranch and changed her life forever. Now Sage is a bounty hunter bent on retribution.



Accompanied only by her majestic hawk, she travels throughout the Rocky Mountains in search of injustice, determined to stamp it out wherever it’s found. The stakes are raised when two young boys are kidnapped and Sage is forced to work with Marshall Parker Timmons to rescue them. But Sage may ultimately get more than she bargained for.



In this exciting historical romance set in the late 1800s, murder, intrigue, kidnapping, and questions of faith will keep you in suspense until the final pages.



If you would like to read the first chapter of A Woman Called Sage, go HERE.



Watch the Video Book Trailer: